[0001] The present invention relates to the field of caps to be provided to containers,
and more specifically relates to caps that, when provided to a container, allow a
fluid to be withdrawn from the interior of said container by means of a needleless
syringe connector provided in said cap.
[0002] Withdrawal from a container of a fluid, e.g. fluid food or fluid medication such
as fluid animal food or fluid animal medication, is often performed using a needle
that punctures a septum of a cap provided on the container. Said septum is made of
a material, e.g. rubber, that allows to be punctured by a sharp and thin needle to
withdraw fluid, but seals the fluid hermetically from the ambient prior to, and possibly
also after, the puncture. The septum may be completely flat, or may only comprise
a small mark indicating the optimal puncture point.
[0003] In some situations the administration of the fluid withdrawn from a container does
not require a needle. This may for instance be when the fluid is provided to a feed
tube or other type of catheter, or is administered orally to the patient, e.g. animal.
Use of a needle may also be disadvantageous, as the use of a needle entails a risk
of accidental sticking or injection. The use of a needleless syringe, that allows
administering of a specific dose, but is provided with a blunt or needleless tip,
may then be preferred.
[0004] When fluids are administered with a needleless syringe, it is most straightforward
to withdraw a fluid from a container using only said needleless syringe. For said
fluid withdrawal with a needleless syringe connector caps provided with a thin membrane,
sometimes a membrane with one or more splits therethrough, are known, for instance
from
WO02064077. The needleless syringe tip can be forced through the thin membrane of said connector
cap.
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved connector cap to
be provided to a container, said connector cap being suitable for withdrawal of fluids
from a container using needleless syringes.
[0006] The inventive needleless syringe connector cap is to be provided to a container having
an aperture at its top. Said cap comprises an elastically deformable plastic valve
body that is to be provided in or above said aperture at the top of the container.
Said valve body has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said valve body comprises
a first passage and a second passage. Each passage extends through the valve body
from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof.
[0007] In an embodiment the container is a bottle, e.g. a plastic bottle.
[0008] The first passage comprises a first cross-slit valve in the extreme lower end of
said passage, wherein said first cross-slit valve is embodied as an aeration valve.
The second passage comprises a second cross-slit valve in the extreme lower end of
said passage, wherein said second cross-slit valve is embodied as an aeration valve.
[0009] The first passage is adapted to receive a first tapered syringe tip having a first
diameter, e.g. a first Luer slip syringe tip or a first catheter syringe tip, in that
said first tip is insertable into the first passage from the top surface of the valve
body and in that the first passage seals around said first tip when said tip has been
inserted into the first passage.
[0010] The second passage is adapted to receive a second tapered syringe tip having a second
diameter, e.g. a second Luer slip syringe tip or a second catheter syringe tip, in
that said second tip is insertable into the second passage from the top surface of
the valve body and in that the second passage seals around said second tip when said
tip has been inserted into the second passage.
[0011] When fluid is withdrawn from a container to which the inventive cap is provided through
the first passage using a first tapered syringe tip to which said first passage is
adapted, the second cross-slit valve opens in response to an underpressure in said
container resulting from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container. When fluid
is withdrawn from a container to which the cap is provided through the second passage
using a second tapered syringe tip to which said second passage is adapted, the first
cross-slit valve opens in response to an underpressure in said container resulting
from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container.
[0012] As used herein to describe the cap and container the terms 'top', 'bottom' and 'downward',
as well as similar terms describing an vertical orientation, refer to a storage orientation
in which the inventive needless syringe connector cap is provided on a container and
wherein a surface of said container is in contact with a substrate, wherein said surface
in contact with a substrate that is at the opposite side of the container compared
to the cap. When withdrawing fluid from said container, the container with cap is
likely tilted with respect to said storage orientation and possibly even tilted upside
down with respect thereto to facilitate said fluid withdrawal.
[0013] The inventive cap is to be provided to a container having an aperture at its top,
and allows withdrawal of fluid from the interior of said container through a first
and a second passage of said container. During withdrawal the cap and container will
be tilted, possibly tilted upside down. Leakage of fluid from the container should
in this orientation of the cap and container be avoided, as such leakage is messy
and lead to loss of sometimes valuable fluid. During withdrawal fluid leakage may
occur between the syringe tip and cap. In order to avoid such leakage, the first and
second passage of the inventive cap are adapted to receive a respective first and
second tapered syringe tip with which a fluid is to be withdrawn from a container.
The first passage is amongst others adapted in that when the first tip extends through
the first passage, said first passage seals around said first tapered syringe tip,
thereby avoiding leakage between syringe tip and cap. Similarly, the second passage
is amongst others adapted in that when the second tip extends through the second passage,
said second passage seals around said second tapered syringe tip, thereby avoiding
leakage between syringe tip and cap.
[0014] Naturally, leakage of fluid through said cap should be avoided at all times, thus
also in the absence of fluid withdrawal. Therefore, the passages of the inventive
cap are sealable. More specifically, each of said passages is provided with a cross-slit
valve in the extreme lower end thereof, wherein each cross-slit valve allows to seal
its passage.
[0015] The withdrawal of fluid as described above is accompanied by an underpressure in
the container. Said underpressure should be removed, as it may hinder or render impossible
the withdrawal of fluid from the container. Therefore, the cross-slit valves of the
inventive cap are embodied as aeration valves that open in the event of an underpressure,
so that ambient air can enter the container. More specifically, when fluid is withdrawn
using the first tapered syringe tip that is inserted into the first passage, the second
cross-slit valve opens in response to an underpressure in said container resulting
from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container. When fluid is withdrawn using
the second tapered syringe tip that is inserted into the second cross-slit valve of
the second passage, the first cross-slit valve opens in response to an underpressure
in said container resulting from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container.
[0016] The cross-slit valve thus combines the functions of allowing for fluid withdrawal
using a needleless syringe and allowing for aeration. Altogether, said needleless
syringe connector cap allows effective fluid withdrawal using selected tapered fitting
syringe tips, whereby said cross-slit valves aerate to facilitate said withdrawal
and seal to prevent leakage, and through the provision of passages that seal around
said tapered syringe tips during withdrawal to avoid leakage.
[0017] In an embodiment the first and second passages have a different diameter, adapted
to receive different diameter syringe tips.
[0018] In another embodiment the first and second passages have the same diameter, adapted
to receive syringe tips with equal diameters.
[0019] The cap may thus comprise two passages that are each adapted to a Luer taper syringe
tip. Said Luer taper syringe tips may have the same or a different diameter.
[0020] Similarly, the cap may comprise two passages that are each adapted to a catheter
syringe tip. Said catheter syringe tips may have the same or a different diameter.
[0021] Similarly, the cap may comprise two passages that are each adapted to both a Luer
taper syringe tip and a catheter syringe tip.
[0022] Preferably the first and/or second passage adapted to a Luer slip syringe tip is
adapted to a Luer slip syringe tip with a diameter between 2 and 6 mm, e.g. 4 mm.
[0023] Preferably the first and/or second passage is adapted to a catheter syringe tip is
adapted to a catheter syringe tip with a diameter between 4 and 8 mm, e.g. 6 mm.
[0024] Preferably the first tapered syringe tip is a first Luer slip syringe tip and said
first passage is further adapted to receive said first Luer slip tip in that a top
section of said first Luer slip tip can be forced through the first cross-slit valve
and in that the first passage seals around said first Luer slip tip when said top
section of said first Luer slip tip has been forced through the first cross-slit valve
and said first Luer slip tip extends through the entire first passage.
[0025] The Luer slip syringe tip is a conical fitting with a 6% taper, to which many female
fittings, e.g. fittings to which a needle is attached, can be connected. The male
and female fitting are held to each other by friction, that is, by interference fit.
The Luer slip syringe tip is a standard fitting for medical instruments, and is described
in ISO 80369-7:2010.
[0026] Preferably the first passage is further adapted to receive said first Luer slip syringe
tip in that the valve body surface delimiting the first passage has a conical surface
with a taper smaller than the Luer taper and with a diameter smaller than, but similar
to, the first diameter of the first Luer slip syringe tip, so as to radially seal
around said first Luer slip syringe tip. In this embodiment the Luer slip tip is inserted
into the first passage until it gets stuck, whereby said first passage has been configured
such that said Luer slip tip will only get stuck after it has been inserted so far
that a top section of said tip has been forced through the cross-slit valve and extends
through the entire passage.
[0027] Thus, the sealing between syringe tip and cap is a radial sealing on the conical
surface of the of the valve body rather than at the cross-slit valve. Said radial
sealing at the conical surface is expected to provide a more reliable sealing than
a sealing at the cross-slit valve.
[0028] In another preferred embodiment the first tapered syringe tip is a first catheter
syringe tip and the first passage being further adapted to receive said first catheter
syringe tip in that a top section of said first catheter syringe tip can be forced
through the first cross-slit valve and in that the passage seals around said first
catheter tip when said top section of said first catheter tip has been forced through
the first cross-slit valve and said first catheter tip extends through the entire
first passage.
[0029] The catheter tip is a tapered syringe tip that is frequently used on syringes with
relatively large volume. For instance, a Luer slip tip may be provided on a syringe
with a volume of a few to a few tens of mL, while a catheter tip may be provided on
a syringe with volume of several tens of mL. Moreover, catheter tips are commonly
provided on a syringe with which a fluid is provided to a catheter or a gastrostomy
tube.
[0030] In yet another preferred embodiment the first passage further comprises a first radial
protrusion into the first passage. Said first protrusion is provided in the lower
end of said first passage and creates a first constriction in the first passage. In
this embodiment the first tapered syringe tip is a first catheter syringe tip and
said first passage is further adapted to receive said first catheter syringe tip in
that said first protrusion limits the insertion of said catheter syringe tip into
the passage, in that when the top of said first catheter tip is provided on said first
protrusion the first cross-slit valve can be opened by the underpressure created through
retraction of the plunger of a first syringe onto which the first catheter syringe
tip is provided and in that the first passage seals around said first catheter tip
when said first catheter tip has been provided on said first protrusion.
[0031] The first cross-slit valve may be provided within said first constriction of the
first passage. However, the first cross-slit valve may be provided below said first
constriction.
[0032] Thus, in some embodiments of the invention the first syringe be forced through the
first cross-slit valve so as to extend through the entire first passage, wherein in
other embodiments the first syringe will extend into, but not through, the first passage.
[0033] The first cross-slit valve and second cross-slit valve both comprises a plurality
of valve sections, preferably four valve section. The cross-slit valve preferably
rapidly opens and closes in the presence of an underpressure, so as to remove through
said repeated opening the underpressure.
[0034] In the embodiment where the first syringe is forced through the first cross-slit
valve the valve sections in response to the pressure exerted on the top surface thereof
bend downward and radially outward, so as to provide space for said tapered syringe
tip. When said tapered syringe tip has been forced through said cross-slit valve in
this way, the cross-slit valve sections may partially extend below the bottom surface
of the valve body.
[0035] In the embodiment wherein the first syringe extends into the first passage until
the protrusion provided therein, the first cross-slit valve the valve sections in
response to the underpressure
created as described above bend upward and radially outward, so as provide an opening
through which fluid can be withdrawn.
[0036] In an embodiment of the inventive cap wherein the first passage is adapted to receive
a first catheter tip of which the insertion is limited by a first protrusion as described
above, said first passage may be further adapted to receive a first Luer slip syringe
tip having a first diameter in that said first Luer slip syringe tip is insertable
into the first passage from the top surface of the valve body, in that said Luer slip
tip is insertable into the first constriction in the first passage, in that the first
protrusion seals around the first Luer slip syringe tip when said Luer slip tip has
been inserted in the first constriction and in that a top section of said first Luer
slip syringe tip can be forced through the first cross-slit valve so as to extend
through the entire first passage.
[0037] The passage is thus adapted to receive both a catheter syringe tip, that can extend
into, but not through, the first passage, and a Luer taper syringe tip, that can extend
into and through the first passage. As the first protrusion limits the insertion of
the catheter tip but not the Luer slip tip, the diameter of the Luer slip tip is smaller
than the diameter of the catheter tip.
[0038] The second passage may be adapted to receive a second Luer taper syringe tip and/or
second catheter syringe tip analogous to any of the embodiments described in the foregoing
for the first passage.
[0039] The elastically deformable plastic valve body of the inventive cap allows for deformation
under applied pressures. Such applied pressure may be the pressure exerted by a tapered
syringe tip, as a result of which the cross-slit valve may for instance be forced
open so that said tapered syringe tip extends through the entire passage and the passage
seals around said tip. The deformable plastic valve body may for instance also deform
under the pressure applied to it by a swivel nut, as will be described below, in order
to seal between the container and the cap. Preferably, said elastically deformable
plastic valve body is a unitary valve body or solid valve body. Moreover, preferably
said plastic valve body is an elastomeric valve body.
[0040] The valve body comprises at least two passages and therefore two cross-slit valves,
so as to allow a tapered syringe tip to be inserted into one of said cross-slit valves
to withdraw fluid, whereas at the same time the one or more other cross-slit valves
open in response to an underpressure in said container resulting from said withdrawal,
so as to aerate said container. In fact, in a preferred embodiment of the invention
the valve body has only two passages.
[0041] The valve body may nevertheless comprise more than two passages, e.g. three or four,
when it is foreseen that more than two different tapered syringe tips will be used
in the intended application.
[0042] Each of the cross-slit valves seals its passage when it is not forced open by the
tapered syringe tip or opens in response to an underpressure. That is, the cross-slit
valves are 'normally closed' cross-slit valves. The ability of the valve body to elastically
deform aids in providing said normally closed state.
[0043] As both the forcing of a tapered syringe tip through said cross-slit valve and the
occurrence of an underpressure take place when a syringe tip is inserted into any
of the passages, each slit valve closes so as to seal its passage when no syringe
tip is inserted into any one of the passages. As in this situation the passages are
sealed, the container with the inventive needleless syringe connector cap can be turned
upside down without any leakage through the cross-slit valves of the passages.
[0044] Preferably the bottom surface of the valve body comprises a receding surface portion,
so as to form a recess in a lower portion of said valve body. The first passage and
second passage end in said recess in the valve body. Such a recess may aid in extracting
the last remainder of fluid from a nearly empty container. Moreover, the container
may initially be provided with a removable sealing foil that seals the aperture at
the top of the container. The cap is then provided to the container with the foil
remaining in place until the first usage of the fluid. By providing said receding
surface portion direct contact between cross-slit valves and foil is avoided, and
therefore accidental crack formation or breakage of said foil by the cross-slit valves
is avoided.
[0045] Each cross-slit valve comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. The valve sections
of the cross-slit valves of the passages may lay in a plane when closed. However,
preferably the cross-slit valves are dome-shaped, wherein in each cross-slit valve
the bottom surface thereof is embodied as the convex surface of said dome-shaped cross-slit
valve. Said dome shape aids in forcing said syringe tip through said cross-slit valve
and aids in the sealing of said passages against the pressure exerted by fluid in
the container, e.g. when said cap is provided on said container and said container
and cap are tilted, possibly tilted upside down. In this way the dome-shaped cross-slit
valve prevents unwanted outward opening.
[0046] The first cross-slit valve has a first top surface and a first bottom surface. In
an embodiment, when said first cross-slit valve is closed the first bottom surface
thereof is flush with an adjoining portion of the receding surface portion of the
bottom surface of the valve body. Similarly, the second cross-slit valve has a second
top surface and a second bottom surface, and in an embodiment when the second cross-slit
valve is closed the second bottom surface thereof is flush with an adjoining portion
of the receding surface portion of the bottom surface of the valve body. When in said
embodiment the valve sections of the cross-slit valve open, they extend underneath
said passage, and therefore their outward movement is not restricted by the surface
delimiting the passage. As a result, forcing said syringe tip through said cross-slit
valve so that it extends through the entire passage may be easier.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment the cap further comprises a swivel nut. Said swivel nut
comprises a ring-shaped clamping portion and a hollow cylindrical securing portion.
The corresponding valve body comprises a central fluid withdrawal portion and a sealing
portion. The first and second passage extend through said fluid withdrawal portion
and the sealing portion is provided radially outwards from said fluid withdrawal portion.
The clamping portion of the swivel nut is provided on top of at least a portion of
said sealing portion of the valve body.
[0048] In this embodiment a separate component, namely the swivel nut, is provided for securing
said valve body to a container. This may in particular be beneficial when the valve
body is provided above the aperture in the top of said container.
[0049] However, also other embodiments are possible, wherein the valve body is provided
within the aperture, and wherein said valve body is adapted to secure itself to the
container. For instance, said valve body may comprise an abutment on top of said valve
body, said abutment upon assembly being provided on the top of the container surrounding
the aperture thereof. When moreover the outer circumference of the portion of the
valve body within the container is equal to the inner circumference of the container
top, upon assembly said elastically deformable valve body may encounter sufficient
friction with the container wall to maintain its position in the container, while
at the same time the abutment prevents pressing said valve body further into said
container.
[0050] The embodiment of the cap comprising a swivel nut is further beneficial, as it avoids
leakage between the valve body and top of the container as the swivel nut presses
the sealing portion onto the top of the container. Specifically, leakage from the
aperture of the container, continuing underneath said sealing portion of the valve
body in between the swivel nut and container to arrive at the exterior of the container
is avoided.
[0051] Said swivel nut preferably comprises rigid plastic material, in order to clamp the
elastically deformable valve body.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment the valve body further comprises a fixation portion radially
outwards from an upper portion of said fluid withdrawal portion. Said fixation portion
has a largest width larger than the inner circumference of the ring-shaped clamping
portion of the swivel nut. It moreover has a groove extending radially into said valve
body. The fixation portion is provided above said groove and said sealing portion
is provided below said groove, so that in an assembled state an inner portion of the
ring-shaped clamping portion is provided within said groove of the valve body and
said fixation portion of the valve body is provided at least partially above said
clamping portion of the swivel nut. In this way said valve body is fixed to said swivel
nut, also when the cap has not yet been provided to a container.
[0053] Preferably the lateral dimension of the valve body are between 2 centimeter and 10
centimeter, preferably between 3 and 6 centimeter. The lateral dimensions of said
valve body should be sufficient to provide at least two passages for Luer taper slip
fitting tips and optionally also a radially extending sealing portion. The height
of the valve body, in particular the fluid withdrawal portion thereof, is preferably
between 5 mm and 15 mm. The sealing portion may have a thickness between 2 mm and
6 mm.
[0054] The present invention moreover relates to a system of a cap according to the present
disclosure and a container having an aperture at its top, wherein said cap is provided
at least partially in or above said aperture at the top of the container.
[0055] The container may for instance comprise rigid plastic, especially near the top of
the container, but may for instance also comprise flexible plastic. The container
may also comprise glass.
[0056] Preferably said container is provided with an externally threaded portion at a top
portion of said container, and said cap is provided with swivel nut as described previously,
said swivel nut comprising internal threads at a lower portion thereof. In this way
said cap can be screwed onto said container so as to retain said cap onto said container.
[0057] In another embodiments the cap may be retained differently, for instance by providing
to said elastically deformable valve body an outer portion that can be provided to,
e.g. pulled over, the outer sides of the top portion of the container.
[0058] In the previous embodiments it is foreseen that the valve body of the cap is provided
above the aperture at the top of the container. However, the valve body may also be
provided in said aperture. In embodiments wherein the valve body is provided in said
container the valve body may provide the means to secure itself to the container,
e.g. through an interference fit as disclosed above in the description of the valve
body.
[0059] The swivel nut that is preferably part of the cap of the inventive system may comprise,
as described above, a ring-shaped clamping portion and a hollow cylindrical securing
portion. The corresponding valve body comprises a central fluid withdrawal portion
and a sealing portion. The first and second passage extends through said fluid withdrawal
portion and the said sealing portion is provided radially outwards from said fluid
withdrawal portion. The clamping portion of the swivel nut is provided on top of at
least a portion of said sealing portion of the valve body. Therefore, when said cap
is screwed onto said container the sealing portion is clamped in between a top surface
of the container and the clamping portion of the swivel nut, so as to seal between
the container and the cap.
[0060] The container may be filled, for instance partially filled, with various fluid products.
For instance, said container may be filled with fluid animal food or fluid animal
medication.
[0061] The container may be provided with a removable sealing foil that covers the aperture
at the top of the container. This may for instance be done directly after the container
is filled with a fluid when said filling takes place at a location remote from the
location of assembly of cap and container. Moreover, the removable sealing foil may
aid in maintaining the quality of the fluid over a certain period of time. Preferably,
the cap and container allow to be assembled at the site of manufacturer without removing
or damaging the removable sealing foil. In this assembled state said removable sealing
foil is provided below the valve body. The end user then removes the removable sealing
foil prior to the first withdrawal of fluid from said system of cap and container.
[0062] The present invention moreover relates to a system of a cap according to the present
disclosure, a container having an aperture at its top, wherein said cap is provided
at least partially in or above said aperture at the top of the container, and a first
syringe with a first Luer taper slip fitting tip having a first diameter. The first
passage of the valve body of the cap is adapted to receive said first Luer taper slip
fitting syringe tips as has been disclosed above in connection with the inventive
needleless syringe connector cap.
[0063] The present invention moreover relates to a method to withdraw fluid from a container.
In said method use is made of a system of a cap, container and syringe according to
the present disclosure. The method comprises the steps of:
- inserting the first syringe with first Luer taper slip fitting tip from the top surface
of said cap into the first passage so that a top section of said tip is forced through
the first cross-slit valve and extends through the entire first passage, wherein the
first passage seals around said first tip when said top section of said tip has been
forced through the first cross-slit valve and said tip extends through the entire
first passage,
- withdrawing fluid from said container through said first tip into said first syringe,
wherein the second cross-slit valve opens in response to an underpressure in said
container resulting from said withdrawal, so as to aerate said container, and
- removing the syringe tip from the passage, after which the first cross-slit valve
seals the first passage and the second cross-slit valve seals the second passage,
so as to seal the container from the ambient.
[0064] Moreover, said container may be provided with a removable sealing foil that covers
the aperture at the top of the container. The method in this situation prior to inserting
the first syringe further comprises the steps of:
- removing said removable sealing foil from the container ,thereby uncovering the aperture
at the top of the container, and
- securing said cap at least partially in or above said aperture at the top of the container.
[0065] The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cap according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top view of the cap of figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cap of figure 1 provided upon a
container open at the top.
Figure 4 shows the insertion of a syringe with a catheter tip into the cap of figure
1.
Figure 5 shows the insertion of a syringe with a Luer slip tip into the cap of figure
1.
Figure 6 shows the insertion of a syringe with an eccentric Luer slip tip into the
cap of figure 1.
Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a cap according to the invention.
Figure 8 shows yet another embodiment of a cap according to the invention.
Figure 9 shows yet another embodiment of a cap according to the invention, into which
a catheter tip is inserted.
Figure 10 shows the cap of Figure 9, into which a Luer slip tip is inserted.
Figure 11 shows a cap according to the invention with reduced height of the valve
body.
[0066] With reference to the drawings embodiments and optional features of the cap will
be described.
[0067] An embodiment of the cap will now be described with reference to figures 1-3. Note
that in figure 3, as well as in the subsequent figures, the upright storage orientation
of the cap and container is shown.
[0068] The cap 1 to be provided to a container 2 comprises in this embodiment a valve body
3 and a swivel nut 4.
[0069] As is preferred the valve body 3 is a monolithic molded body of elastically deformable
material, e.g. of an elastomer.
[0070] As is preferred the swivel nut 4 is a monolithic molded body of plastic material.
[0071] The container 2, e.g. a blow molded plastic container, comprises a top portion 21
or neck comprising a lower cylindrical portion 22 with a first diameter and an upper
cylindrical portion 23 with a second diameter. The outer surface of the lower cylindrical
portion 22 is threaded with one or more threads 24. The second diameter here is slightly
smaller than the first diameter, but may also be different, possible the diameters
are the same.
[0072] The top of the top portion 21 of the container comprises a radially inward extending
portion 25 surrounding an aperture 26.
[0073] The valve body 3 comprises a central fluid withdrawal portion 31, a fixation portion
32 and sealing portion 33. The fixation portion 32 and sealing portions 33 are both
provided radially outwards from said central fluid withdrawal portion 31.
[0074] The fluid withdrawal portion 31 comprises a flat upper surface 34 with a first opening
35 and a second opening 36 of a first passage 37 and a second passage 38 respectively,
which will be described in more detail below. The valve body 3 comprises a bottom
surface 39.
[0075] The ring-shaped fixation portion 32 is provided radially outwards of a top portion
of said fluid withdrawal portion, said fixation portion having in an upper portion
a surface that is inclined downwards in the outward radial direction to facilitate
the assembly of the valve body 3 and swivel nut 4. The upper portion of the valve
body is thus frustoconically shaped. Below said inclined surface said fixation portion
32 comprises a groove 310 that extends radially into said valve body 3. The valve
body 3 can be snapped into the opening of the swivel nut 4.
[0076] A ring-shaped sealing portion 33 is provided radially outwards of a bottom portion
of said fluid withdrawal portion 31. The outer circumference of said sealing portion
is similar in size to the width of the top portion of the container. In particular
is said sealing portion provided with a protrusion 311 that extends downward from
its lower outer edge, said protrusion forming an annular rib or ring on the lower
outer edge of said sealing portion. Said rib has a circumference slightly larger than
the diameter of the upper cylindrical portion of the container, allowing it to be
provided on the outside of the upper cylindrical portion.
[0077] The swivel nut 4 comprises a ring-shaped planar clamping portion 41 around a central
opening and a cylindrical securing portion 42. The inner circumference of said clamping
portion is smaller than the largest width of said fixation portion 32 and similar
to, but slightly larger than, the diameter of the groove 310 of the fixation portion.
[0078] The outer surface of the securing portion comprises one or more grip portions 43,
e.g. comprising vertical ribs 44, to facilitate rotation of said swivel nut by a user.
The inner surface of a lower portion of said securing portion is threaded with one
or more threads 45.
[0079] To assemble the cap, the fixation portion 32 of the valve body 3 is pressed through
the opening of the swivel nut 4 from the bottom side thereof so that the valve body
is snapped onto the swivel nut 4. After assembly, as is shown in Figures 1-3, the
clamping portion 41 of the swivel nut is provided on top of the sealing portion 33
of the valve body, with the innermost portion of said clamping portion provided in
said groove 310 of the fixation portion. The upper portion of the fluid withdrawal
portion 31 and the fixation portion 32 extend above said clamping portion 41. The
fixation portion 32, together with the sealing portion 33, fixates said valve body
3 to said swivel nut 4.
[0080] The swivel nut 4 and valve body 3 can then be screwed as a cap on said top portion
of the container using the external threading 24 of the top portion of the container
2 and the internal threading 45 of the swivel nut 4, thereby obtaining the system
of container and cap shown in Figure 3.
[0081] By screwing said swivel nut 4 with the valve boy 3 onto said top portion of the container,
the sealing portion 33 of the valve body 3 is clamped between the top end, here the
inward extending portion 25 of the top portion 21, of the container and the clamping
portion 41 of the swivel nut 4, thereby sealing the top portion 21 of the container
so as to prevent leakage from the aperture 26 of the container underneath said sealing
portion 23 of the valve body in between the swivel nut 4 and container 2 to the exterior
of the container. The downward protrusions 311 at the lower outer edge of the sealing
portion 33 provide additional sealing capacity to further prevent leakage.
[0082] In the shown embodiment the fluid withdrawal portion 31 comprises a first passage
37 and a second passage 38 extending from the top surface 34 to the bottom surface
39 of the valve body. The first passage 37 comprises at its lower end a first cross-slit
valve 312, the second passage 38 at its lower end a second cross-slit valve 313, most
clearly shown in Figure 2. The two slits of each cross-slit valve cross in the center
of the valve, thereby forming four valve sections. The slit valves 312,313 are embodied
as aeration valves, that is, they open in response to an underpressure inside the
container 2 with respect to the ambient pressure.
[0083] The first passage 37 is adapted to receive a first tapered syringe tip of a first
syringe in that said first tip is insertable into said first passage 37 from the top
surface 34 of the valve body and in that the first passage 37 seals around said first
tip when said first tip has been inserted into the first passage 37. Similarly, the
second passage 38 is adapted to receive a second tapered syringe tip of a second syringe
in that said second tip is insertable into said second passage 38 from the top surface
34 of the valve body and in that the second passage 38 seals around said second tip
when said tip has been inserted into the second passage 38.
[0084] In the present embodiment the first passage 37 is wider than the second passage 38,
so that the first passage 37 is adapted to receive a tapered syringe tip with a larger
diameter than the tapered syringe tip to which the second passage 38 is adapted.
[0085] When none of the cross-slit valves 312,313 are actually forced open, e.g. by introduction
of a syringe tip into the respective passage, each cross-slit valve will effectively
seal or close its passage, so as to seal the container from the ambient. The container
2 with cap 1, said container comprising a fluid, can in this situation be turned upside
down without any leakage of said fluid through the valves 312, 313.
[0086] In the shown embodiment the lower surface 39 of the valve body comprises a receding
surface portion 315 at the lower surface of the central fluid withdrawal portion,
so as to form a recess 314 in the valve body relative to a surrounding region of the
lower surface 39. The passages 37, 38 with cross-slit valves 312,313 end in the recessed
area 314 of the lower surface 39 of the valve body 3.
[0087] In the shown embodiment the first cross-slit valve 312 and the second cross-slit
valve 313 are both dome-shaped, as is apparent from figure 3, with the dome being
directed towards the inside of the container.
[0088] The cross-slit valves 312, 313 are arranged at the lowermost end of the respective
passage, so that here the convex surface of the dome-shape of each of the cross-slit
valves 312, 313 forms part of the bottom surface 39 of the cross-slit valve. This
arrangement of the cross-slit valves 312, 313 at the lowermost end of the respective
passage, generally flush with the bottom surface 39, here the recessed area 314 thereof,
for example facilitates the opening of the cross-slit valves 312,313, e.g. in view
of the penetration of a conical plastic syringe tip through the valve which forces
the valve open.
[0089] The passages 37, 38 above the cross-slit valve 312, 313 are conical, widening towards
the top surface of the valve body, as preferred with a taper that corresponds to the
taper of the syringe tip that is to be introduced into the passage. For example the
taper is a 6% taper as is known in the field of syringes as a Luer taper. Preferably
the tapering extends of the majority of the length of each passage, e.g. with the
exception of a small entry bevel at the top surface.
[0090] As is preferred the slits in the valves 312, 313 extend over the entire diameter
of the dome-shape, approximately corresponding to the narrowest width of the lower
end of the respective passage 37, 38.
[0091] The withdrawal of fluid from a container provided with the inventive cap will be
described with reference to figures 4 - 6.
[0092] Figure 4 shows an end portion of a first syringe 5 that is provided with a first
tapered tip, here a first catheter tip 51. The first passage 37 of said valve body
3 is adapted to receive said first catheter syringe tip 51. The tip 51 is insertable
into the first passage 37 of said valve body 3 from the top surface 34 thereof. The
top section of said first tip 51 here is forced into the first cross-slit valve. The
first passage 37 seals around said first catheter tip 51 when said top section 52
of said first catheter tip has been forced into the first cross-slit valve 312 and
said first catheter tip 51 extends through the entire first passage 37.
[0093] The first catheter tip 51 exerts a mechanical pressure onto the top surface of the
first cross-slit valve 312 at the bottom of said first passage 37, upon which the
valve sections of said cross-slit valve 312 bend downward and outward, so that said
top section 52 of said first catheter tip 51 is forced into and through said cross-slit
valve 312, so that said tip 51 extends through the entire first passage 37.
[0094] With the syringe tip 51 extending through the entire first passage 37, the valve
body seals around the first catheter tip 51 of the first syringe 5.
[0095] For withdrawal of fluid a user will hold the container 2 upside down with the syringe
below the container. Fluid in the container 2 can now be drawn from said container
by means of said syringe, and enter into the syringe 5 via the first catheter tip
51 thereof.
[0096] As fluid is drawn from said container 2 an underpressure or partial vacuum will arise
in the non-collapsing container 2. This underpressure may hinder or render impossible
a sufficient fluid withdrawal and is thus undesirable.
[0097] In the cap 1, when fluid is withdrawn from a container 2 using a syringe 5 with a
first tapered syringe tip 51 introduced into the first passage 37, the second cross-slit
valve 313, which is at the same time not being forced open by a syringe tip, opens
in response to said underpressure so as act as an aeration valve and to provide ambient
air to said container, thereby removing said underpressure. In other words, the second
cross-slit valve 313 allows to aerate said container 2 when fluid is withdrawn via
a syringe tip inserted into the other passage of the valve body. In practice the aeration
will take place in minute opening events of the respective valve.
[0098] When sufficient fluid has been withdrawn from the container 2, possibly still with
the container upside down, the user can retract the first tapered syringe tip, here
catheter tip 51, from the first passage 37, and the first cross-slit valve 37 will
then, due to its elasticity, automatically close and seal the first passage 37. As
no further underpressure is created, the second cross-slit valve 313 will also automatically
close and seal the second passage 38. As the first cross-slit valve 37 and second
cross-slit valve 38 are closed, the cap 1 seals the container 2 from the ambient.
[0099] The first valve and second valve 312, 313 are embodied so that they will both act
as a withdrawal valve as well as an aeration valve. Thus, as illustrated in figures
5, 6, a second syringe 6 with a second tapered syringe tip, here a Luer slip syringe
tip, 61 may be used to withdraw fluid from the container 2 via the other passage 38.
The second passage 38 of the valve body 3 is adapted to receive said second Luer slip
syringe tip 61 in that a top section 62 of said Luer slip syringe tip 61 can be forced
into and possibly through the second cross-slit valve 313 and in that the second passage
38 seals around said second Luer slip tip 61 when said top section 62 of said second
Luer slip tip 61 opens the second cross-slit valve 313 and said second Luer slip tip
61 extends through the entire second passage 38.
[0100] Said second tip 62 can be inserted into the second passage 38 from the top surface
34 of the valve body 3. The second tip 61 exerts mechanical pressure onto the top
surface of the second cross-slit valve 313, upon which the valve sections of said
cross-slit valve 313 bend downward and outward, so that said a top section 62 of the
second tip 61 is forced into and possibly through said cross-slit valve 313, so that
said tip 61 extends through the entire second passage 38.
[0101] In the present embodiment the second passage 38 is further adapted to receive said
second Luer slip syringe tip 61 in that the valve body surface delimiting the second
passage 38 has a conical surface with a taper the same or slightly smaller than the
Luer taper and with a diameter the same or slightly smaller than, but similar to,
the second diameter of the Luer slip syringe tip 61, so as to radially seal around
said Luer slip syringe tip 61.
[0102] The second passage 38 seals, e.g. radially seals, around the second Luer taper slip
fitting tip 61 of the first syringe 6. Fluid in the container 2 can now be drawn from
said container to said second syringe 6 via the second Luer taper slip fitting tip
61 thereof. Upon withdrawal of fluid from said container through said second passage
38 the first cross-slit valve 312 allows to aerate the container.
[0103] The Luer taper syringe tip may be placed centrally on the syringe, giving the central
Luer slip syringe tip 61 shown in Figure 5, but may also be placed off-center, giving
the eccentric Luer slip syringe tip 61 of Figure 6.
[0104] The cap may also comprise two or more passages that adapted to the same type of tapered
syringe tip, e.g. each of the two passages adapted to receive a Luer slip syringe
tip with the same taper angle. These passages adapted to receive the same type of
tapered syringe tip may also be adapted to receive the same type of syringe tip with
the same diameter, e.g. two Luer slip syringe tips with the same taper and the same
diameter. Such an embodiment with two identical passages 37,38 adapted to receive
Luer taper slip syringe tips is shown in Figure 7. Similarly, an embodiment with two
identical passages 37,38 both adapted to receive catheter syringe tips, said catheter
syringe tips having the same taper and diameter, is shown in Figure 8.
[0105] The embodiment of Figures 9 and 10 shows a cap with two identical passages 37,38,
that are both adapted to receive both a catheter syringe tip 51 and a Luer slip tip
61. The passages 37,38 extend through the valve body and comprise cross-slit valves
312,313 embodied as aeration valves as described in the foregoing.
[0106] The first passage 37 comprises at the lowermost end thereof a radial protrusion 371
into the first passage 37, said first protrusion 371 provided in the lower end of
said first passage 37 and creating a first constriction or shoulder 372 in the first
passage. In the present embodiment the first cross-slit valve 312 is provided within
said constriction 372. However, said first cross-slit valve 312 may also be provided
below said constriction or shoulder 372.
[0107] The first passage 37 is adapted to receive a first catheter syringe tip 51 having
a first diameter in that said first catheter tip 51 is insertable into the first passage
37 from the top surface 34 of the valve body 3 in that said first protrusion 371 limits
the insertion of the catheter syringe tip 51 into the first passage 37, in that when
the top 52 of said first catheter tip 52 is provided on said first protrusion 371
the first cross-slit valve 312 can be opened by the underpressure created through
retraction of the plunger of a first syringe 5 onto which the first catheter syringe
tip 51 is provided and that the first passage 37 seals around said first catheter
tip 51 when said first catheter tip 51 has been provided on said first protrusion
371.
[0108] Moreover, the first passage 37 is further adapted to receive a first Luer slip syringe
tip 61 having a first Luer slip tip diameter in that said first Luer slip syringe
tip 61 is insertable into the first passage 37 from the top surface 34 of the valve
body 3, in that said Luer slip tip is insertable into the first constriction 372 in
the first passage 37, in that the first protrusion 371 seals around the first Luer
slip syringe tip 37 when said Luer slip tip 61 has been inserted in the first constriction
372 and in that a top section 62 of said first Luer slip syringe tip can be forced
through the first cross-slit valve 312 so as to extend through the entire first passage
37.
[0109] Thus, while the catheter tip 51 can only extend through a part of the passage, as
it is limited by the first protrusion 371 as shown in Figure 9, the Luer slip syringe
tip 61 can be inserted into the same passage, into the constriction thereof and can
extend through said entire passage, shown in Figure 10 for a Luer slip syringe tip
61 inserted in to the second passage 38.
[0110] In the embodiment of figures 9 and 10 the second passage 38 is adapted to receive
both a catheter syringe tip 51 and a Luer slip syringe tip 61, in a manner analogous
to the first passage 37. To this end said second passage 38 comprises a radial protrusion
381 into the second passage 38, said second protrusion 381 provided in the lower end
of said second passage 38 and creating a second constriction 382 in the second passage
38.
[0111] The height of the fluid withdrawal portion 31 may vary in different embodiments of
the inventive cap 1. The height of the fluid withdrawal portion 31 may for instance
be reduced, as is shown in Figure 11, so as to provide a more compact cap 1. Note
that although the height of the fluid withdrawal portion 31 is reduced, the fixation
portion 32 is still provided with a groove 310, through which said valve body 3 is
fixed to the swivel nut 4.
1. A needleless syringe connector cap (1) to be provided to a container (2) having an
aperture (26) at its top, said cap comprising:
an elastically deformable plastic valve body (3) to be provided in or above said aperture
(26) at the top of the container (2), said valve body (3) having a top surface (34)
and a bottom surface (39),
wherein said valve body (3) comprises a first passage (37) and a second passage (38),
each passage (37, 38) extending through the valve body (3) from the top surface (34)
to the bottom surface (39) thereof, and
wherein said first passage (37) comprises a first cross-slit valve (312) in the extreme
lower end of said passage (37), wherein said first cross-slit valve is embodied as
an aeration valve, and
wherein said second passage (38) comprises a second cross-slit valve (313) in the
extreme lower end of said passage (38), wherein said second cross-slit valve is embodied
as an aeration valve, and
wherein the first passage (37) is adapted to receive a first tapered syringe tip (51)
having a first diameter, e.g. a first Luer slip syringe tip or a first catheter syringe
tip, in that said first tip (51) is insertable into the first passage (37) from the
top surface (34) of the valve body (3) and in that the first passage (37) seals around
said first tip (51) when said tip (51) has been inserted into the first passage (37),
and
wherein the second passage (38) is adapted to receive a second tapered syringe tip
(61) having a second diameter, e.g. a second Luer slip syringe tip or a second catheter
syringe tip, in that said second tip (61) is insertable into the second passage (38)
from the top surface (34) of the valve body (3) and in that the second passage (38)
seals around said second tip (61) when said tip (61) has been inserted into the second
passage (38), and
wherein when fluid is withdrawn from a container (2) to which the cap (1) is provided
through the first passage (37) using a first tapered syringe tip (51) to which said
first passage (37) is adapted, the second cross-slit valve (313) opens in response
to an underpressure in said container (2) resulting from said withdrawal, so as to
aerate said container (2), and
wherein when fluid is withdrawn from a container (2) to which the cap (1) is provided
through the second passage (38) using a second tapered syringe tip (61) to which said
second passage (38) is adapted, the first cross-slit valve (313) opens in response
to an underpressure in said container (2) resulting from said withdrawal, so as to
aerate said container (2).
2. A cap (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first diameter is equal to, or larger
than the second diameter.
3. A cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tapered syringe tip (51) is
a first Luer slip syringe tip, said first passage (37) being further adapted to receive
said first Luer slip tip (51) in that a top section (52) of said first Luer slip tip
(51) can be forced through the first cross-slit valve (312) and in that the first
passage (37) seals around said first Luer slip tip (51) when said top section (52)
of said first Luer slip tip (51) has been forced through the first cross-slit valve
(312) and said first Luer slip tip (51) extends through the entire first passage (37),
wherein preferably the first passage (37) is further adapted to receive said first
Luer slip syringe tip (51) in that the valve body (3) surface delimiting the first
passage (37) has a conical surface with a taper smaller than the Luer taper and with
a diameter smaller than, but similar to, the first diameter of the first Luer slip
syringe tip (51), so as to radially seal around said first Luer slip syringe tip (51).
4. A cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tapered syringe tip (51) is
a first catheter syringe tip, said first passage (37) being further adapted to receive
said first catheter syringe tip (51) in that a top section (52) of said first catheter
syringe tip (51) can be forced through the first cross-slit valve (312) and in that
the passage (37) seals around said first catheter tip (51) when said top section (52)
of said first catheter tip (51) has been forced through the first cross-slit valve
(313) and said first catheter tip (51) extends through the entire first passage (37).
5. A cap (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first passage (37) further comprises
a first radial protrusion (371) into the first passage (37), said first protrusion
(371) provided in the lower end of said first passage (37) and said first protrusion
(371) creating a first constriction (372) in the first passage (37),
wherein the first tapered syringe tip (51) is a first catheter syringe tip, said first
passage (37) being further adapted to receive said first catheter syringe tip (51)
in that said first protrusion (371) limits the insertion of said catheter syringe
tip (51) into the passage (37), in that when the top of said first catheter tip (51)
is provided on said first protrusion (371) the first cross-slit valve (312) can be
opened by the underpressure created through retraction of the plunger of a first syringe
(5) onto which the first catheter syringe tip (51) is provided and in that the first
passage (37) seals around said first catheter tip (51) when said first catheter tip
(51) has been provided on said first protrusion (371), wherein preferably the first
passage (37) is further adapted to receive a first Luer slip syringe tip (51) having
a first diameter in that said first Luer slip syringe tip (51) is insertable into
the first passage (37) from the top surface (34) of the valve body (3), in that said
Luer slip tip (51) is insertable into the first constriction (372) in the first passage
(37), in that the first protrusion (372) seals around the first Luer slip syringe
tip (51) when said Luer slip tip (51) has been inserted in the first constriction
(372) and in that a top section (52) of said first Luer slip syringe tip (51) can
be forced through the first cross-slit valve (312) so as to extend through the entire
first passage (37).
6. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the second tapered syringe tip
(61) is a second Luer slip syringe tip, said second passage (38) being further adapted
to receive said second Luer slip tip (61) in that a top section (62) of said second
Luer slip tip (61) can be forced through the second cross-slit valve (313) and in
that the second passage (38) seals around said second Luer slip tip (61) when said
top section (62) of said second Luer slip tip (62) has been forced through the second
cross-slit valve (313) and said second Luer slip tip (61) extends through the entire
second passage (38), wherein preferably the second passage (38) is further adapted
to receive said second Luer slip syringe tip (61) in that the valve body (3) surface
delimiting the second passage (38) has a conical surface with a taper smaller than
the Luer taper and with a diameter smaller than, but similar to, the second diameter
of the Luer slip syringe tip (61), so as to radially seal around said Luer slip syringe
tip (61).
7. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the second tapered syringe tip
(61) is a second catheter syringe tip, said second passage (38) being further adapted
to receive said second catheter syringe tip (61) in that a top section (62) of said
second catheter syringe tip (61) can be forced through the second cross-slit valve
(313) and in that the passage (38) seals around said second catheter tip (61) when
said top section of said second catheter tip (61) has been forced through the second
cross-slit valve (313) and said second catheter tip (61) extends through the entire
second passage (38).
8. A cap (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the second passage (38) further
comprises a second radial protrusion (381) into the second passage (38), said second
protrusion (381) provided in the lower end of said second passage (38) and said second
protrusion (381) creating a second constriction (382) in the second passage (38),
wherein the second tapered syringe tip (61) is a second catheter syringe tip, said
second passage (38) being further adapted to receive said second catheter syringe
tip (61) in that said second protrusion (382) limits the insertion of said second
catheter syringe tip (61) into the passage (38), in that when the top (62) of said
second catheter tip (61) is provided on said second protrusion (381) the second cross-slit
valve (313) can be opened by the underpressure created through retraction of the plunger
of a second syringe (6) onto which the second catheter syringe tip (61) is provided
and in that the second passage (38) seals around said second catheter tip (61) when
said second catheter tip (61) has been provided on said second protrusion (381), wherein
preferably the second passage (38) is further adapted to receive a second Luer slip
syringe tip (61) having a second diameter in that said second Luer slip syringe tip
(61) is insertable into the second passage (38) from the top surface (34) of the valve
body (3), in that said tip (61) is insertable into the second constriction (382) in
the second passage (38), in that the second protrusion (371) seals around the second
Luer slip syringe tip (61) when said second tip (61) has been inserted in the second
constriction (382) and in that a top section (62) of said second Luer slip syringe
tip (61) can be forced through the second cross-slit valve (313) so as to extend through
the entire second passage (38).
9. A cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cap (1) further
comprises a swivel nut (4) comprising a ring-shaped clamping portion (41) and a hollow
cylindrical securing portion (42), wherein the valve body (3) comprises a central
fluid withdrawal portion (31) and a sealing portion (33), wherein the first and second
passage (37, 38) extend through said fluid withdrawal portion (31), wherein said sealing
portion (33) is provided radially outwards from said fluid withdrawal portion (31),
and wherein the clamping portion (41) of the swivel nut (4) is provided on top of
at least a portion of said sealing portion (33) of the valve body (3).
10. A cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body
(3) further comprises a fixation portion (32) radially outwards from an upper portion
of said fluid withdrawal portion (31), said fixation portion (32) having a largest
width larger than the inner circumference of said ring-shaped clamping portion (41)
of the swivel nut (4), and a groove (310) extending radially into said valve body
(3), said fixation portion (32) being provided above said groove (310) and said sealing
portion (33) being provided below said groove (310), so that in an assembled state
an inner portion of the ring-shaped clamping portion (41) is provided within said
groove (310) of the valve body (3) and said fixation portion (32) of the valve body
(3) is provided at least partially above said clamping portion (41) of the swivel
nut (4), so as to fix said valve body (3) to said swivel nut (4).
11. A cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom surface
(39) of the valve body (3) comprises a receding surface portion (315), so as to form
a recess (314) in a lower portion of said valve body (3), and wherein said first passage
(37) and second passage (38) end in said recess (314) in the valve body (3), and/
or wherein each cross-slit valve (312, 313) has a top surface and a bottom surface,
wherein each cross-slit valve (312, 313) is dome-shaped and wherein in each cross-slit
valve (312, 313) the bottom surface thereof is embodied as the convex surface of said
dome-shaped cross-slit valve (312, 313).
12. A cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first cross-slit
valve (312) has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, wherein when said
first cross-slit valve (312) is closed said first bottom surface is flush with an
adjoining portion of the bottom surface (39) of the valve body (3), and
wherein said second cross-slit valve (313) has a second top surface and a second bottom
surface, wherein when said second cross-slit valve (313) is closed said second bottom
surface is flush with an adjoining portion of the bottom surface (39) of the valve
body (3).
13. A system comprising:
- a container (2) of the type where an underpressure is established in the container
(2) upon withdrawal of fluid from the container (2), said container (2) having an
aperture (26) at its top, and
- a cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
- wherein said cap (1) is provided at the top of the container (2),
- wherein said container (2) is provided with an externally threaded portion (24)
at a top portion (21) of said container (2), and wherein said cap (1) further comprises
swivel nut (4) with an internal thread (45), which retains said cap (1) onto said
container (2), wherein the swivel nut (4) comprises a ring-shaped clamping portion
(41) and a hollow cylindrical securing portion (42), wherein the valve body (3) comprises
a central fluid withdrawal portion (31) and a sealing portion (33), wherein the first
and second passage (37, 38) extend through said fluid withdrawal portion (33), and
wherein said sealing portion (33) is provided radially outwards from said fluid withdrawal
portion (31), wherein the clamping portion (41) of the swivel nut (4) is provided
on top of at least a portion of said sealing portion (33) of the valve body (3), and
wherein when said cap (1) is retained onto said container (2) the sealing portion
(33) is clamped in between a top surface of the container (2) and the clamping portion
(41) of the swivel nut (4), so as to seal between the container (2) and the cap (1).
14. A system comprising:
- a cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-12,
- a container (2) having an aperture (26) at its top, wherein said cap (1) is provided
at least partially in or above said aperture (26) at the top of the container (2),
and
- a first syringe (5) having a first tapered tip (51) with a first diameter, preferably
has a first Luer slip syringe tip which can be an eccentric first Luer slip syringe
tip, or a first catheter syringe tip,
- wherein the first passage (37) of the cap (1) is adapted to receive said first tapered
syringe tip (51), and
- a second syringe (6) having a second tapered tip (61) with a second diameter, preferably
has a second Luer slip syringe tip which can be an eccentric second Luer slip syringe
tip, or a second catheter syringe tip,
- wherein the second passage (38) of the cap (1) is adapted to receive said second
tapered syringe tip (61).
15. Method to withdraw fluid from a container (2), wherein use is made of a cap (1) and/or
a system according to any one of claims 1 - 14, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting said first syringe (5) with said first tapered syringe tip (51) from the
top surface of said cap (1) into the first passage (37) so that the first passage
(37) seals around said first tip (51) when said top section (52) of said tip (51)
has been inserted into the first passage (37),
- withdrawing fluid from said container (2) through said first tapered tip (51) into
said first syringe (5), wherein the second cross-slit valve (313) opens in response
to an underpressure in said container (2) resulting from said withdrawal, so as to
aerate said container (2), and
- removing said first tapered tip (51) from the first passage (37), after which the
first cross-slit valve (312) automatically seals the first passage (37) and the second
cross-slit valve (313) seals the second passage (38), so as to seal the container
(2) from the ambient.
1. Nadellose Spritzenverbindungskappe (1), die an einem Behälter (2) mit einer Öffnung
(26) an seiner Oberseite bereitgestellt wird, wobei die Kappe umfasst:
einen elastisch verformbaren Kunststoffventilkörper (3), der in oder über der Öffnung
(26) an der Oberseite des Behälters (2) bereitgestellt wird, wobei der Ventilkörper
(3) eine Oberseite (34) und eine Unterseite (39) aufweist,
wobei der Ventilkörper (3) einen ersten Durchgang (37) und einen zweiten Durchgang
(38) umfasst, wobei sich jeder Durchgang (37, 38) durch den Ventilkörper (3) von seiner
Oberseite (34) zu seiner Unterseite (39) erstreckt, und
wobei der erste Durchgang (37) ein erstes Kreuzschlitzventil (312) am äußersten unteren
Ende des Durchgangs (37) umfasst, wobei das erste Kreuzschlitzventil als Belüftungsventil
ausgebildet ist, und
wobei der zweite Durchgang (38) ein zweites Kreuzschlitzventil (313) am äußersten
unteren Ende des Durchgangs (38) umfasst, wobei das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil als
Belüftungsventil ausgebildet ist, und
wobei der erste Durchgang (37) ausgebildet ist, um eine erste konische Spritzenspitze
(51) mit einem ersten Durchmesser, z.B. eine erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze oder eine
erste Katheter-Spritzenspitze, aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass die erste Spitze (51) von
der Oberseite (34) des Ventilkörpers (3) in den ersten Durchgang (37) einführbar ist
und im Sinne dass der erste Durchgang (37) um die erste Spitze (51) herum abdichtet,
wenn die Spitze (51) in den ersten Durchgang (37) eingeführt ist, und
wobei der zweite Durchgang (38) ausgebildet ist, um eine zweite konische Spritzenspitze
(61) mit einem zweiten Durchmesser, z.B. eine zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze oder
eine zweite Katheter-Spritzenspitze, aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass die zweite Spitze
(61) von der Oberseite (34) des Ventilkörpers (3) in den zweiten Durchgang (38) einführbar
ist und im Sinne dass der zweite Durchgang (38) um die zweite Spitze (61) herum abdichtet,
wenn die Spitze (61) in den zweiten Durchgang (38) eingeführt ist, und
wobei, wenn Fluid aus einem Behälter (2), an dem die Kappe (1) bereitgestellt ist,
durch den ersten Durchgang (37) unter Verwendung einer ersten konischen Spritzenspitze
(51), an die der erste Durchgang (37) ausgebildet ist, entnommen wird, sich das zweite
Kreuzschlitzventil (313) in Reaktion auf einen aus der Entnahme resultierenden Unterdruck
in dem Behälter (2) öffnet, um damit den Behälter (2) zu belüften, und
wobei, wenn Fluid aus einem Behälter (2), dem die Kappe (1) bereitgestellt ist, durch
den zweiten Durchgang (38) unter Verwendung einer zweiten konischen Spritzenspitze
(61), an die der zweite Durchgang (38) ausgebildet ist, entnommen wird, sich das erste
Kreuzschlitzventil (313) in Reaktion auf einen aus der Entnahme resultierenden Unterdruck
in dem Behälter (2) öffnet, um damit den Behälter (2) zu belüften.
2. Kappe (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der erste Durchmesser gleich oder größer als der
zweite Durchmesser ist.
3. Kappe (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die erste konische Spritzenspitze (51) eine
erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze ist, der erste Durchgang (37) weiter ausgebildet ist,
um die erste Luer-Slip-Spitze (51) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass ein oberer Abschnitt
(52) der ersten Luer-Slip-Spitze (51) durch das erste Kreuzschlitzventil (312) gedrückt
werden kann, und im Sinne dass der erste Durchgang (37) um die erste Luer-Slip-Spitze
(51) herum abdichtet, wenn der obere Abschnitt (52) der ersten Luer-Slip-Spitze (51)
durch das erste Kreuzschlitzventil (312) gedrückt ist und sich die erste Luer-Slip-Spitze
(51) durch den gesamten ersten Durchgang (37) erstreckt, wobei vorzugsweise der erste
Durchgang (37) weiterhin ausgebildet ist, um die erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (51)
aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass der Ventilkörper (3), der den ersten Durchgang (37) begrenzt,
eine konische Oberfläche mit einer Verjüngung aufweist, die kleiner als die Luer-Verjüngung
ist, und mit einem Durchmesser, der kleiner als, aber ähnlich dem ersten Durchmesser
der ersten Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (51) ist, um so um die erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze
(51) herum radial abzudichten.
4. Kappe (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die erste konische Spritzenspitze (51) eine
erste Katheterspritzenspitze ist, der erste Durchgang (37) weiter ausgebildet ist,
um die erste Katheterspritzenspitze (51) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass ein oberer Abschnitt
(52) der ersten Katheterspritzenspitze (51) durch das erste Kreuzschlitzventil (312)
gedrückt werden kann, und im Sinne dass der Durchgang (37) um die erste Katheterspitze
(51) herum abdichtet, wenn der obere Abschnitt (52) der ersten Katheterspitze (51)
durch das erste Kreuzschlitzventil (313) gedrückt ist und sich die erste Katheterspitze
(51) durch den gesamten ersten Durchgang (37) erstreckt.
5. Kappe (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der erste Durchgang (37) weiter einen ersten
radialen Vorsprung (371) in den ersten Durchgang (37) umfasst, wobei der erste Vorsprung
(371) am unteren Ende des ersten Durchgangs (37) bereitgestellt ist und der erste
Vorsprung (371) eine erste Verengung (372) im ersten Durchgang (37) erzeugt,
wobei die erste konische Spritzenspitze (51) eine erste Katheterspritzenspitze ist,
wobei der erste Durchgang (37) weiterhin ausgebildet ist, um die erste Katheterspritzenspitze
(51) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass der erste Vorsprung (371) das Einführen der Katheterspritzenspitze
(51) in den Durchgang (37) begrenzt, im Sinne dass, wenn die Oberseite der ersten
Katheterspitze (51) auf dem ersten Vorsprung (371) angeordnet ist, das erste Kreuzschlitzventil
(312) durch den Unterdruck geöffnet werden kann, der durch das Zurückziehen des Kolbens
einer ersten Spritze (5) erzeugt wird, auf der die erste Katheter-Spritzenspitze (51)
bereitgestellt ist, und im Sinne dass der erste Durchgang (37) um die erste Katheterspitze
(51) abdichtet, wenn die erste Katheterspitze (51) auf dem ersten Vorsprung (371)
angeordnet ist, wobei vorzugsweise der erste Durchgang (37) weiterhin ausgebildet
ist, um eine erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (51) mit einem ersten Durchmesser aufzunehmen,
wobei die erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (51) in den ersten Durchgang (37) von der
Oberseite (34) des Ventilkörpers (3) einführbar ist, wobei die Luer-Slip-Spitze (51)
in die erste Verengung (372) im ersten Durchgang (37) einführbar ist, wobei der erste
Vorsprung (372) um die erste Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (51) herum abdichtet, wenn die
Luer-Slip-Spitze (51) in die erste Verengung (372) eingeführt ist, und dass ein oberer
Abschnitt (52) der ersten Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (51) durch das erste Kreuzschlitzventil
(312) gedrückt werden kann, so dass er sich durch den gesamten ersten Durchgang (37)
erstreckt.
6. Kappe (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, wobei die zweite konische Spritzenspitze (61)
eine zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze ist, der zweite Durchgang (38) weiter ausgebildet
ist, um die zweite Luer-Slip-Spitze (61) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass ein oberer Abschnitt
(62) der zweiten Luer-Slip-Spitze (61) durch das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) gedrückt
werden kann, und im Sinne dass der zweite Durchgang (38) um die zweite Luer-Slip-Spitze
(61) herum abdichtet, wenn der obere Abschnitt (62) der zweiten Luer-Slip-Spitze (62)
durch das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) gedrückt worden ist und sich die zweite
Luer-Slip-Spitze (61) durch den gesamten zweiten Durchgang (38) erstreckt, wobei vorzugsweise
der zweite Durchgang (38) weiterhin ausgebildet ist, um die zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze
(61) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass die den zweiten Durchgang (38) begrenzende Ventilkörperoberfläche
(3) eine konische Oberfläche mit einer Verjüngung aufweist, die kleiner als die Luer-Verjüngung
ist und mit einem Durchmesser, der kleiner als, aber ähnlich dem zweiten Durchmesser
der Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (61) ist, um so um die Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze (61)
herum radial abzudichten.
7. Kappe (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, wobei die zweite konische Spritzenspitze (61)
eine zweite Katheterspritzenspitze ist, der zweite Durchgang (38) weiter ausgebildet
ist, um die zweite Katheterspritzenspitze (61) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass ein oberer
Abschnitt (62) der zweiten Katheterspritzenspitze (61) durch das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil
(313) gedrückt werden kann, und im Sinne dass der Durchgang (38) um die zweite Katheterspitze
(61) herum abdichtet, wenn der obere Abschnitt der zweiten Katheterspitze (61) durch
das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) gedrückt ist und sich die zweite Katheterspitze
(61) durch den gesamten zweiten Durchgang (38) erstreckt.
8. Kappe (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, wobei der zweite Durchgang (38) weiter einen
zweiten radialen Vorsprung (381) in den zweiten Durchgang (38) umfasst, wobei der
zweite Vorsprung (381) am unteren Ende des zweiten Durchgangs (38) bereitgestellt
ist und der zweite Vorsprung (381) eine zweite Verengung (382) in dem zweiten Durchgang
(38) erzeugt, wobei die zweite konische Spritzenspitze (61) eine zweite Katheterspritzenspitze
ist, wobei der zweite Durchgang (38) weiterhin ausgebildet ist, um die zweite Katheterspritzenspitze
(61) aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass der zweite Vorsprung (382) das Einführen der zweiten
Katheterspritzenspitze (61) in den Durchgang (38) begrenzt, im Sinne dass, wenn die
Oberseite (62) der zweiten Katheterspitze (61) auf dem zweiten Vorsprung (381) angeordnet
ist, das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) durch den Unterdruck geöffnet werden kann,
der durch das Zurückziehen des Kolbens einer zweiten Spritze (6) erzeugt wird, auf
der die zweite Katheterspitze (61) bereitgestellt ist, und im Sinne dass der zweite
Durchgang (38) um die zweite Katheterspitze (61) herum abdichtet, wenn die zweite
Katheterspitze (61) auf dem zweiten Vorsprung (381) angeordnet ist, wobei vorzugsweise
der zweite Durchgang (38) weiterhin ausgebildet ist, um eine zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze
(61) mit einem zweiten Durchmesser aufzunehmen, im Sinne dass die zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze
(61) von der Oberseite (34) des Ventilkörpers (3) in den zweiten Durchgang (38) einführbar
ist, wobei die Spitze (61) in die zweite Verengung (382) im zweiten Durchgang (38)
einführbar ist, im Sinne dass der zweite Vorsprung (371) um die zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze
(61) herum abdichtet, wenn die zweite Spitze (61) in die zweite Verengung (382) eingeführt
ist, und im Sinne dass ein oberer Abschnitt (62) der zweiten Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze
(61) durch das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) gedrückt werden kann, so dass er sich
durch den gesamten zweiten Durchgang (38) erstreckt.
9. Kappe (1) nach einem oder mehrere der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kappe (1)
weiter eine Überwurfmutter (4) umfasst, die einen ringförmigen Klemmabschnitt (41)
und einen hohlzylindrischen Befestigungsabschnitt (42) umfasst, wobei der Ventilkörper
(3) einen zentralen Fluidentnahmeabschnitt (31) und einen Dichtungsabschnitt (33)
umfasst, wobei sich der erste und zweite Durchgang (37, 38) durch den Fluidentnahmeabschnitt
(31) erstrecken, wobei der Dichtungsabschnitt (33) radial nach außen von dem Fluidentnahmeabschnitt
(31) bereitgestellt ist, und wobei der Klemmabschnitt (41) der Überwurfmutter (4)
auf mindestens einem Abschnitt des Dichtungsabschnitts (33) des Ventilkörpers (3)
bereitgestellt ist.
10. Kappe (1) nach einem oder mehrere der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kappe (1)
weiter einen Befestigungsabschnitt (32) radial nach außen von einem oberen Abschnitt
des Fluidentnahmeabschnitts (31) umfasst, wobei der Befestigungsabschnitt (32) eine
größte Breite aufweist, die größer ist als der Innenumfang des ringförmigen Klemmabschnitts
(41) der Überwurfmutter (4), und eine Nut (310), die sich radial in den Ventilkörper
(3) erstreckt, wobei der Befestigungsabschnitt (32) oberhalb der Nut (310) bereitgestellt
ist und der Dichtungsabschnitt (33) unterhalb der Nut (310) bereitgestellt ist, so
dass im montierten Zustand ein Innenabschnitt des ringförmigen Klemmabschnitts (41)
innerhalb der Nut (310) des Ventilkörpers (3) bereitgestellt ist und der Befestigungsabschnitt
(32) des Ventilkörpers (3) zumindest teilweise oberhalb des Klemmabschnitts (41) der
Überwurfmutter (4) bereitgestellt ist, um so der Ventilkörper (3) an der Überwurfmutter
(4) zu befestigen.
11. Kappe (1) nach einem oder mehrere der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Unterseite
(39) des Ventilkörpers (3) einen zurückgezogenen Oberflächenabschnitt (315) umfasst,
um so eine Aussparung (314) in einem unteren Abschnitt des Ventilkörpers (3) zu bilden,
und wobei der erste Durchgang (37) und der zweite Durchgang (38) in der Aussparung
(314) im Ventilkörper (3) enden, und/oder wobei jedes Kreuzschlitzventil (312, 313)
eine Oberseite und eine Unterseite aufweist, wobei jedes Kreuzschlitzventil (312,
313) kuppelförmig ist und wobei in jedem Kreuzschlitzventil (312, 313) die Unterseite
davon als der konvexe Oberfläche des kuppelförmigen Kreuzschlitzventils (312, 313)
ausgebildet ist.
12. Kappe (1) nach einem oder mehrere der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das erste Kreuzschlitzventil
(312) eine erste Oberseite und eine erste Unterseite aufweist, wobei, wenn das erste
Kreuzschlitzventil (312) geschlossen ist, die erste Unterseite bündig mit einem angrenzenden
Abschnitt der Unterseite (39) des Ventilkörpers (3) ist, und
wobei das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) eine zweite Oberseite und eine zweite Unterseite
aufweist, wobei, wenn das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) geschlossen ist, die zweite
Unterseite bündig mit einem angrenzenden Abschnitt der Unterseite (39) des Ventilkörpers
(3) ist.
13. System, umfassend:
- einen Behälter (2) eines Typs, bei dem beim Entnehmen von Fluid aus dem Behälter
(2) ein Unterdruck im Behälter (2) aufgebaut wird, wobei der Behälter (2) eine Öffnung
(26) an seiner Oberseite aufweist, und
- eine Kappe (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
- wobei die Kappe (1) an der Oberseite des Behälters (2) bereitgestellt ist,
- wobei der Behälter (2) einen Außengewindeabschnitt (24) an einem oberen Abschnitt
(21) des Behälters (2) aufweist, und wobei die Kappe (1) weiter eine Überwurfmutter
(4) mit einem Innengewinde (45) umfasst, die die Kappe (1) auf dem Behälter (2) hält,
wobei die Überwurfmutter (4) einen ringförmigen Klemmabschnitt (41) und einen hohlzylindrischen
Befestigungsabschnitt (42) umfasst, wobei der Ventilkörper (3) einen zentralen Fluidentnahmeabschnitt
(31) und einen Dichtungsabschnitt (33) umfasst, wobei der erste und zweite Durchgang
(37, 38) sich durch den Fluidentnahmeabschnitt (33) erstrecken, und wobei der Dichtungsabschnitt
(33) radial nach außen von dem Fluidentnahmeabschnitt (31) bereitgestellt ist, wobei
der Klemmabschnitt (41) der Überwurfmutter (4) oben auf mindestens einem Abschnitt
des Dichtungsabschnitts (33) des Ventilkörpers (3) angeordnet ist, und wobei, wenn
die Kappe (1) auf dem Behälter (2) gehalten wird, der Dichtungsabschnitt (33) zwischen
einer Oberseite des Behälters (2) und dem Klemmabschnitt (41) der Überwurfmutter (4)
eingeklemmt wird, um so zwischen dem Behälter (2) und der Kappe (1) abzudichten.
14. System, umfassend:
- eine Kappe (1) nach einem oder mehrere der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1-12,
- einen Behälter (2) mit einer Öffnung (26) an seiner Oberseite, wobei die Kappe (1)
zumindest teilweise in oder über der Öffnung (26) an der Oberseite des Behälters (2)
bereitgestellt ist, und
- eine erste Spritze (5) mit einer ersten konischen Spitze (51) mit einem ersten Durchmesser,
vorzugsweise mit einer ersten Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze, die eine exzentrische erste
Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze oder eine erste Katheterspritzenspitze sein kann,
- wobei der erste Durchgang (37) der Kappe (1) ausgebildet ist, um die erste konische
Spritzenspitze (51) aufzunehmen, und
- eine zweite Spritze (6) mit einer zweiten konischen Spitze (61) mit einem zweiten
Durchmesser, vorzugsweise mit einer zweiten Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze, die eine exzentrische
zweite Luer-Slip-Spritzenspitze oder eine zweite Katheter-Spritzenspitze sein kann,
- wobei der zweite Durchgang (38) der Kappe (1) ausgebildet ist, um die zweite konische
Spritzenspitze (61) aufzunehmen.
15. Verfahren zum Entnehmen von Fluid aus einem Behälter (2), wobei eine Kappe (1) und/oder
ein System nach einem der Ansprüche 1-14 verwendet wird, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden
Schritte umfasst:
- Einführen der ersten Spritze (5) mit der ersten konischen Spritzenspitze (51) von
der Oberseite der Kappe (1) in den ersten Durchgang (37), so dass der erste Durchgang
(37) um die erste Spitze (51) herum abdichtet, wenn der obere Abschnitt (52) der Spitze
(51) in den ersten Durchgang (37) eingeführt ist,
- Entnehmen von Fluid aus dem Behälter (2) durch die erste konische Spitze (51) in
die erste Spritze (5), wobei sich das zweite Kreuzschlitzventil (313) in Reaktion
auf einen aus dem Entnehmen resultierenden Unterdruck in dem Behälter (2) öffnet,
um damit den Behälter (2) zu belüften, und
- Entfernen der ersten konischen Spitze (51) aus dem ersten Durchgang (37), woraufhin
das erste Kreuzschlitzventil (312) automatisch den ersten Durchgang (37) und das zweite
Kreuzschlitzventil (313) den zweiten Durchgang (38) abdichtet, um damit den Behälter
(2) gegenüber der Umgebung abzudichten.
1. Bouchon pour raccord de seringue sans aiguille (1) destiné à être prévu sur un contenant
(2) ayant une ouverture (26) au niveau de sa partie supérieure, ledit bouchon comprenant
:
un corps de valve en plastique élastiquement déformable (3) destiné à être prévu dans
ou au-dessus de ladite ouverture (26) sur le dessus du contenant (2), ledit corps
de valve (3) ayant une surface supérieure (34) et une surface inférieure (39),
dans lequel ledit corps de valve (3) comprend un premier passage (37) et un second
passage (38), chaque passage (37, 38) s'étendant à travers le corps de valve (3) depuis
sa surface supérieure (34) jusqu'à sa surface inférieure (39), et
dans lequel ledit premier passage (37) comprend une première valve à fente transversale
(312) dans l'extrémité inférieure extrême dudit passage (37), dans lequel ladite première
valve à fente transversale est mise en oeuvre sous la forme d'une valve d'aération,
et
dans lequel ledit second passage (38) comprend une seconde valve à fente transversale
(313) dans l'extrémité inférieure extrême dudit passage (38), dans lequel ladite seconde
valve à fente transversale est mise en oeuvre sous la forme d'une valve d'aération,
et
dans lequel le premier passage (37) est adapté pour recevoir une première pointe de
seringue progressivement rétrécie (51) ayant un premier diamètre, par exemple une
première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip ou une première pointe de seringue
de cathéter, en ce que ladite première pointe (51) peut être insérée dans le premier
passage (37) à partir de la surface supérieure (34) du corps de valve (3) et en ce
que le premier passage (37) réalise l'étanchéité autour de ladite première pointe
(51) lorsque ladite pointe (51) a été insérée dans le premier passage (37), et
dans lequel le second passage (38) est adapté pour recevoir une seconde pointe de
seringue progressivement rétrécie (61) ayant un second diamètre, par exemple une seconde
pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip ou une seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter,
en ce que ladite seconde pointe (61) peut être insérée dans le second passage (38)
depuis la surface supérieure (34) du corps de valve (3) et en ce que le second passage
(38) réalise l'étanchéité autour de ladite seconde pointe (61) lorsque ladite pointe
(61) a été insérée dans le second passage (38), et
dans lequel lorsque le fluide est retiré du contenant (2) sur lequel le bouchon (1)
est prévu par le biais du premier passage (37) à l'aide d'une première pointe de seringue
progressivement rétrécie (51) à laquelle ledit premier passage (37) est adapté, la
seconde valve à fente transversale (313) s'ouvre en réponse à une sous-pression dans
ledit contenant (2) provenant dudit retrait, afin d'aérer ledit contenant (2), et
dans lequel lorsque le fluide est retiré d'un contenant (2) sur lequel le bouchon
(1) est prévu par le biais du second passage (38) à l'aide d'une seconde pointe de
seringue progressivement rétrécie (61) à laquelle ledit second passage (38) est adapté,
la première valve à fente transversale (313) s'ouvre en réponse à une sous-pression
dans ledit contenant (2) provenant dudit retrait, afin d'aérer ledit contenant (2).
2. Bouchon (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier diamètre est égal ou
supérieur au second diamètre.
3. Bouchon (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la première pointe de seringue
progressivement rétrécie (51) est une première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip,
ledit premier passage (37) étant en outre adapté pour recevoir ladite première pointe
à embout Luer-slip (51) en ce qu'une section supérieure (52) de ladite première pointe
à embout Luer-slip (51) peut être forcée à travers entiers la première valve à fente
transversale (312) et en ce que le premier passage (37) réalise l'étanchéité autour
de ladite première pointe à embout Luer-slip (51) lorsque ladite section supérieure
(52) de ladite première pointe à embout Luer-slip (51) a été forcée à travers la première
valve à fente transversale (312) et ladite première pointe à embout Luer-slip (51)
s'étend à travers tout entiers le premier passage (37), dans lequel de préférence
le premier passage (37) est en outre adapté pour recevoir ladite première pointe de
seringue à embout Luer-slip (51) en ce que la surface de corps de valve (3) délimitant
le premier passage (37) a une surface conique avec une conicité inférieure à la conicité
Luer et avec un diamètre inférieur mais similaire au premier diamètre de la première
pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (51), afin de réaliser radialement l'étanchéité
autour de ladite première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (51).
4. Bouchon (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la première pointe de seringue
progressivement rétrécie (51) est une première pointe de seringue de cathéter, ledit
premier passage (37) étant en outre adapté pour recevoir ladite première pointe de
seringue de cathéter (51) en ce qu'une section supérieure (52) de ladite première
pointe de seringue de cathéter (51) peut être forcée à travers la première valve à
fente transversale (312) et en ce que le passage (37) réalise l'étanchéité autour
de ladite première pointe de cathéter (51) lorsque ladite section supérieure (52)
de ladite première pointe de cathéter (51) a été forcée à travers la première valve
à fente transversale (313) et ladite première pointe de cathéter (51) s'étend à travers
tout le premier passage (37).
5. Bouchon (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le premier passage (37) comprend
en outre une première saillie radiale (371) dans le premier passage (37), ladite première
saillie (371) étant prévue dans l'extrémité inférieure dudit premier passage (37)
et ladite première saillie (371) créant un premier rétrécissement (372) dans le premier
passage (37),
dans lequel la première pointe de seringue progressivement rétrécie (51) est une première
pointe de seringue de cathéter, ledit premier passage (37) étant en outre adapté pour
recevoir ladite première pointe de seringue de cathéter (51) en ce que ladite première
saillie (371) limite l'insertion de ladite pointe de seringue de cathéter (51) dans
le passage (37), en ce que lorsque la partie supérieure de ladite première pointe
de cathéter (51) est prévue sur ladite première saillie (371), la première valve à
fente transversale (312) peut être ouverte par la sous-pression créée à travers la
rétraction du piston plongeur d'une première seringue (5) sur laquelle la première
pointe de seringue de cathéter (51) est prévue et en ce que le premier passage (37)
réalise l'étanchéité autour de ladite première pointe de cathéter (51) lorsque ladite
première pointe de cathéter (51) a été prévue sur ladite première saillie (371), dans
lequel de préférence le premier passage (37) est en outre adapté pour recevoir une
première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (51) ayant un premier diamètre en ce
que ladite première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (51) peut être insérée dans
le premier passage (37) depuis la surface supérieure (34) du corps de valve (3), en
ce que ladite pointe à embout Luer-slip (51) peut être insérée dans le premier rétrécissement
(372) dans le premier passage (37), en ce que la première saillie (372) réalise l'étanchéité
autour de la première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (51) lorsque ladite pointe
à embout Luer-slip (51) a été insérée dans le premier rétrécissement (372) et en ce
qu'une section supérieure (52) de ladite première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip
(51) peut être forcée à travers la première valve à fente transversale (312) afin
de s'étendre à travers tout le premier passage (37).
6. Bouchon (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la seconde
pointe de seringue progressivement rétrécie (61) est une seconde pointe de seringue
à embout Luer-slip, ledit second passage (38) étant en outre adapté pour recevoir
ladite seconde pointe à embout Luer-slip (61) en ce qu'une section supérieure (62)
de ladite seconde pointe à embout Luer-slip (61) peut être forcée à travers la seconde
valve à fente transversale (313) et en ce que le second passage (38) réalise l'étanchéité
autour de ladite seconde pointe à embout Luer-slip (61) lorsque ladite section supérieure
(62) de ladite seconde pointe à embout Luer-slip (62) a été forcée à travers la seconde
valve à fente transversale (313) et ladite seconde pointe à embout Luer-slip (61)
s'étend à travers tout le second passage (38), dans lequel de préférence le second
passage (38) est en outre adapté pour recevoir ladite seconde pointe de seringue à
embout Luer-slip (61) en ce que la surface de corps de valve (3) délimitant le second
passage (38) a une surface conique avec une conicité inférieure à la conicité Luer
et avec un diamètre inférieur mais similaire au second diamètre de la pointe de seringue
à embout Luer-slip (61), afin de réaliser radialement l'étanchéité autour de ladite
pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (61).
7. Bouchon (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la seconde
pointe de seringue progressivement rétrécie (61) est une seconde pointe de seringue
de cathéter, ledit second passage (38) étant en outre adapté pour recevoir ladite
seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter (61) en ce qu'une section supérieure (62) de
ladite seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter (61) peut être forcée à travers la seconde
valve à fente transversale (313) et en ce que le passage (38) réalise l'étanchéité
autour de ladite seconde pointe de cathéter (61) lorsque ladite section supérieure
de ladite seconde pointe de cathéter (61) a été forcée à travers la seconde valve
à fente transversale (313) et ladite seconde pointe de cathéter (61) s'étend à travers
tout le second passage (38).
8. Bouchon (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le second
passage (38) comprend en outre une seconde saillie radiale (381) dans le second passage
(38), ladite seconde saillie (381) étant prévue dans l'extrémité inférieure dudit
second passage (38) et ladite seconde saillie (381) créant un second rétrécissement
(382) dans le second passage (38), dans lequel la seconde pointe de seringue progressivement
rétrécie (61) est une seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter, ledit second passage
(38) étant en outre adapté pour recevoir ladite seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter
(61) en ce que ladite seconde saillie (382) limite l'insertion de ladite seconde pointe
de seringue de cathéter (61) dans le passage (38), en ce que lorsque la partie supérieure
(62) de ladite seconde pointe de cathéter (61) est prévue sur ladite seconde saillie
(381), la seconde valve à fente transversale (313) peut être ouverte par la sous-pression
créée par la rétraction du piston plongeur d'une seconde seringue (6) dans laquelle
la seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter (61) est prévue et en ce que le second passage
(38) réalise l'étanchéité autour de ladite seconde pointe de cathéter (61) lorsque
ladite seconde pointe de cathéter (61) a été prévue sur ladite seconde saillie (381),
dans lequel de préférence le second passage (38) est en outre adapté pour recevoir
une seconde pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (61) ayant un second diamètre en
ce que ladite seconde pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (61) peut être insérée
dans le second passage (38) depuis la surface supérieure (34) du corps de valve (3),
en ce que ladite pointe (61) peut être insérée dans le second rétrécissement (382)
dans le second passage (38), en ce que la seconde saillie (371) réalise l'étanchéité
autour de la seconde pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (61) lorsque ladite seconde
pointe (61) a été insérée dans le second rétrécissement (382) et en ce qu'une section
supérieure (62) de ladite seconde pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip (61) peut
être forcée à travers la seconde valve à fente transversale (313) afin de s'étendre
à travers tout le second passage (38).
9. Bouchon (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le
bouchon (1) comprend en outre un écrou tournant (4) comprenant une partie de serrage
de forme annulaire (41) et une partie de fixation cylindrique creuse (42), dans lequel
le corps de valve (3) comprend une partie de retrait de fluide centrale (31) et une
partie d'étanchéité (33), dans lequel les premier et second passages (37, 38) s'étendent
à travers ladite partie de retrait de fluide (31), dans lequel ladite partie d'étanchéité
(33) est prévue radialement vers l'extérieur à partir de ladite partie de retrait
de fluide (31), et dans lequel la partie de serrage (41) de l'écrou tournant (4) est
prévue sur la partie supérieure d'au moins une partie de ladite partie d'étanchéité
(33) du corps de valve (3).
10. Bouchon (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le
corps de valve (3) comprend en outre une partie de fixation (32) radialement vers
l'extérieur à partir d'une partie supérieure de ladite partie de retrait de fluide
(31), ladite partie de fixation (32) ayant la plus grande largeur supérieure à la
circonférence interne de ladite partie de serrage de forme annulaire (41) de l'écrou
tournant (4), et une rainure (310) s'étendant radialement dans ledit corps de valve
(3), ladite partie de fixation (32) étant prévue au-dessus de ladite rainure (310)
et ladite partie d'étanchéité (33) étant prévue au-dessous de ladite rainure (310),
de sorte que dans un état assemblé, une partie interne de la partie de serrage de
forme annulaire (41) est prévue avec ladite rainure (310) du corps de valve (3) et
ladite partie de fixation (32) du corps de valve (3) est prévue au moins partiellement
au-dessus de ladite partie de serrage (41) de l'écrou tournant (4), afin de fixer
ledit corps de valve (3) audit écrou tournant (4).
11. Bouchon (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la
surface inférieure (39) du corps de valve (3) comprend une partie de surface descendante
(315) afin de former un évidement (314) dans une partie inférieure dudit corps de
valve (3) et dans lequel ledit premier passage (37) et le second passage (38) se terminent
dans ledit évidement (314) dans le corps de valve (3) et/ou dans lequel chaque valve
à fente transversale (312, 313) a une surface supérieure et une surface inférieure,
dans lequel chaque valve à fente transversale (312, 313) est en forme de dôme et dans
lequel dans chaque valve à fente transversale (312, 313), sa surface inférieure est
mise en oeuvre sous la forme de la surface convexe de ladite valve à fente transversale
en forme de dôme (312, 313).
12. Bouchon (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite
première valve à fente transversale (312) a une première surface supérieure et une
première surface inférieure, dans lequel lorsque ladite première valve à fente transversale
(312) est fermée, ladite première surface inférieure est de niveau avec une partie
attenante de la surface inférieure (39) du corps de valve (3), et
lorsque ladite seconde valve à fente transversale (313) a une seconde surface supérieure
et une seconde surface inférieure, dans lequel lorsque ladite seconde valve à fente
transversale (313) est fermée, ladite seconde surface inférieure est de niveau avec
une partie attenante de la surface inférieure (39) du corps de valve (3).
13. Système comprenant :
un contenant (2) du type où une sous-pression est établie dans le contenant (2) suite
au retrait du fluide du contenant (2), ledit contenant (2) ayant une ouverture (26)
au niveau de sa partie supérieure, et
un bouchon (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel ledit bouchon (1) est prévu au niveau de la partie supérieure du contenant
(2),
dans lequel ledit contenant (2) est prévu avec une partie extérieurement filetée (24)
au niveau d'une partie supérieure (21) dudit contenant (2) et dans lequel ledit bouchon
(1) comprend en outre l'écrou tournant (4) avec un filetage interne (45) qui retient
ledit bouchon (1) sur ledit contenant (2), dans lequel l'écrou tournant (4) comprend
une partie de serrage de forme annulaire (41) et une partie de fixation cylindrique
creuse (42), dans lequel le corps de valve (3) comprend une partie de retrait de fluide
central (31) et une partie d'étanchéité (33), dans lequel les premier et second passages
(37, 38) s'étendent à travers ladite partie de retrait de fluide (33) et dans lequel
ladite partie d'étanchéité (33) est prévue radialement vers l'extérieur à partir de
ladite partie de retrait de fluide (31), dans lequel la partie de serrage (41) de
l'écrou tournant (4) est prévue sur la partie supérieure d'au moins une partie de
ladite partie d'étanchéité (33) du corps de valve (3), et dans lequel lorsque ledit
bouchon (1) est retenu sur ledit contenant (2), la partie d'étanchéité (33) est serrée
entre une surface supérieure du contenant (2) et la partie de serrage (41) de l'écrou
tournant (4), afin de réaliser l'étanchéité entre le contenant (2) et le bouchon (1).
14. Système comprenant :
un bouchon (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 12,
un contenant (2) ayant une ouverture (26) au niveau de sa partie supérieure, dans
lequel ledit bouchon (1) est prévu au moins partiellement dans ou au-dessus de ladite
ouverture (26) au niveau de la partie supérieure du contenant (2), et
une première seringue (5) ayant une première pointe progressivement rétrécie (51)
avec un premier diamètre, de préférence a une première pointe de seringue à embout
Luer-slip qui peut être une première pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip excentrique,
ou une première pointe de seringue de cathéter,
dans lequel le premier passage (37) du bouchon (1) est adapté pour recevoir ladite
première pointe de seringue progressivement rétrécie (51), et
une seconde seringue (6) ayant une seconde pointe progressivement rétrécie (61) avec
un second diamètre, de préférence a une seconde pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip
qui peut être une seconde pointe de seringue à embout Luer-slip excentrique ou une
seconde pointe de seringue de cathéter,
dans lequel le second passage (38) du bouchon (1) est adapté pour recevoir ladite
seconde pointe de seringue progressivement rétrécie (61).
15. Procédé pour retirer du fluide d'un contenant (2), dans lequel on utilise un bouchon
(1) et/ou un système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, ledit procédé
comprenant les étapes consistant à :
insérer ladite première seringue (5) avec ladite première pointe de seringue progressivement
rétrécie (51) depuis la surface supérieure dudit bouchon (1) dans le premier passage
(37) de sorte que le premier passage (37) réalise l'étanchéité autour de ladite première
pointe (51), lorsque ladite section supérieure (52) de ladite pointe (51) a été insérée
dans le premier passage (37),
retirer le fluide dudit contenant (2) à travers ladite première pointe progressivement
rétrécie (51) dans ladite première seringue (5), dans lequel la seconde valve à fente
transversale (313) s'ouvre en réponse à une sous-pression dans ledit contenant (2)
résultant dudit retrait, afin d'aérer ledit contenant (2), et
retirer ladite première pointe progressivement rétrécie (51) du premier passage (37),
après quoi la première valve à fente transversale (312) scelle automatiquement le
premier passage (37) et la seconde valve à fente transversale (313) scelle le second
passage (38), afin de sceller le contenant (2) par rapport à l'air ambiant.